Game system with enhanced low power mode-related processing

A first game machine being removably connected to at least one second game machine as an operation controller, the second game machine having an operation mode which can be switched from normal game processing mode to no-operation mode when no operations have been carried out by a user for a predetermined time period, the first game machine comprising:

• an operation mode detector for detecting the operation mode of the second game machine;
• and a notifying mechanism for notifying the user that the second game machine is being operated in the no-operation mode through an image or a sound, wherein the first and second game machines are capable of being operated independent of one another.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium encoded with a game program to be executed on a game machine capable of being removably connected to at least another single game machine as an operation controller, the other game machine having an operation mode which can be switched from normal game processing mode to no-operation mode when no operations have been carried out for a predetermined time period, the computer-readable medium being encoded with said game program to cause the game machine to execute instructions for:

• detecting the operation mode of the other game machine;
• and notifying the user through an image or a sound that the other game machine is being operated in the no-operation mode, wherein the game machines are capable of being operated independent of one another.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium encoded with a game program to be executed on a game machine being used as an operation controller removably connected to another game machine for game processing, the computer-readable medium being encoded with said game program to cause the game machine to execute instructions for:

• detecting that no operations have been carried out by a user to the game machine for a predetermined time period;
• switching an operation mode of the game machine from normal game processing mode to no-operation mode based on the detection result in the detecting step;
• and notifying the other game machine with a sleep request signal that the operation mode of the game machine has been switched to the no-operation mode, wherein the game machines are capable of being operated independent of one another.

A game processing method for use in a game system in which a first game machine is connected to at least another single second game machine as an operation controller for game processing, the method comprising:

• detecting that no operations have been carried out by a user of the second game machine for at least a predetermined time period;
• switching an operation of the second game machine from normal game processing mode to no-operation mode based on the detection result;
• and notifying the user by the first game machine through an image or a sound that the second game machine is being operated in the no-operation mode, wherein the first and second game machines are capable of being operated independent of one another.